"Sidon" a Sidon Travel Page by sachara

The ancient town Sidon or Saida is the largest town in south Lebanon.
Sidon was one of the most important Phoenician cities, but not many remains of the ancient city have survived the ravages of time, like the earthquake in 551 AD.
There is evidence that Sidon was settled as long ago as 4.000 BC.
Like in Tyre much of the wealth of Sidon came from the murex trade, which produced a valued purple dye. Like most Phoenician cities Sidon was built on a promontory facing an island, which sheltered its fleet from storms of the sea.

The Phoenician period began around the 12th to the 10th centuries BC and reached its golden age during the Persian period (550-333 BC) . During this period the Temple of Echmoun, 2KM north east of Sidon, was built.
At the end of the Persian era the Sidonians couldn't resist the forces of invaders. After locking the gates they set fire to the city. More than 40.000 Sidonians died in the flames.
The decimated city was too weak to oppose the triumphal march of Alexander the Great. The Sidonians handed over power to the Greek without struggle.
In the Roman period (64 BC-330 AD) the city became the status of republic, before passing into the hands of the Byzantines. In the Byzantine time Sidon became the seat of the bishophric.
From 667 Sidon came in Arabic hands and was administered from Damascus.